We're in divorce filings and are going through mediation. She will be served the paperwork later this week and then the (California) clock of 6 months + 1 day starts ticking. The county is behind and so I am looking at 8-9 months until the judge will sign the paperwork.

I have the opportunity to move out and live in the house of a friend who travels all the time - meaning, I will have the house for me alone most of the time. He is making me a hard to beat price which will help me a lot financially as I will be paying approx. 55-60% of my take home pay in child support and spousal support.

I want to make this as easy as possible for my son and kind of warm him up to the idea that this is coming. Any recommendations? How did you move out if you have already? How did you tell the kids?